Plant of the week: Candelabras Cactus

Name: Candelabras Cactus (Euphorbia lactea)

Otherwise known as: Dragon Bones, Candlestick Tree

Habitat: A tall, succulent, spinous member of the Euphorbiaceae family, growing to 6m with a 5m span in coastal areas of the Americas and the Caribbean. Dark green, three-winged segments are distinguished by a white and lime green marbling; the stems produce tiny yellow flowers on the tips. There is a ‘ghost form’ of the plant that has pale white stems. While it is generally found in dry arid areas, it is one of the few Euphorbias that will tolerate a wet, humid climate. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

What does it do: Like all members its family, Candelabra has a white, milky latex that contains diterpene esters such as phorbol, daphnane, diterpene and euphorbon, which on contact can cause severe skin irritation, acute dermatitis and blindness. If ingested, it will result in inflammation, and sometimes perforation of the stomach lining and bloody diarrheoa.

Spanish invaders were persuaded by native medicine men that the latex was a cure for leprosy and venereal disease, which they used to their great discomfort. It appears that the latex had some topical benefits but it had to be mixed with other herbs to reduce its potency. The Seminole tribe of Florida applied the latex to open wounds in initiation ceremonies to test the ability of the young men to endure intense pain; they also tipped their arrows with it.

In the Caribbean, medicine men used poultices from the young stems to cure warts and topical tumours.

Domestic animals such as cats and dogs are at risk from Candelabra when they brush against it and bruise the stems; it causes alopecia in cats.

Candelabra Cactus in not uncommon in Cyprus and may be seen in many cactus and succulent gardens but should only be pruned when wearing gloves.

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